Lungu assures independence of Church

JACK ZIMBA & MAYENGO NYIRENDA, Chipata
PRESIDENT Lungu says he does not interfere in the work of the Church.
Mr Lungu said this when he attended a special service at the Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ) in Chipata yesterday.The service was held to formally welcome the new overseer of the congregation, Reverend Masauso Moyo.
Rev Moyo replaces Dr Clement Mwanza, who resigned from his position last year to pursue a political career.
Dr Mwanza was the running mate of Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) president Edith Nawakwi in last yearâ€™s general elections.
President Lungu, who was accompanied by Eastern Province Minister Makebi Zulu, PF deputy secretary general Mumbi Phiri and other senior government and Patriotic Front (PF) party officials, said many in his family and political party are Christians and will continue serving God.
He dismissed allegations by some church leaders and politicians that his visits to various churches are political and meant to interfere in the affairs of the Church in Zambia.
â€œWhen we come we donâ€™t come as President or ministers; we come as fellow congregants, fellow believers,â€ he said.
He called on the Church to help politicians in spiritual matters.
â€œFeel free to talk to us as members of your church when we are going astray,â€ he said.
And President Lungu said the Church and the government complement each other because they are two sides of the same coin.
Meanwhile, Reverend Rose Malowa, who preached a message titled â€˜When God sends usâ€™, urged believers to depend on God and not man.
â€œBakateka (our President), depend on God,â€ he said.
She urged President Lungu to be a President of all Zambians, including those who did not vote for him.
â€œEven in Dundumwezi, go there and be their President. You have been called by God whether we like it or not,â€ she said.
Vice-synod moderator Moses Mwale urged all those in leadership to seek Godâ€™s wisdom.
At the end of the service, the church presented Mr Lungu with hymn books to help him â€œrediscover his rootsâ€.
Mr Lungu had confided in Rev Mwale during the service that he once belonged to the RCZ while growing up in Buchi township in Kitwe, where he also sang in the choir.
The President is now a member of the Catholic Church.
The President was on a three-day working visit to Eastern Province and has since returned to Lusaka.